(U-WIRE) AMES, Iowa – A new bill introduced to Congress may addsome much-needed relief to students’ wallets when buyingtextbooks.

Congressman David Wu, D-Ore., introduced H.R. 3567, a billspecifically aimed at aiding college students, to the U.S. House ofRepresentatives Nov. 20.

Cameron Johnson, press secretary for Wu, says the proposed billwill require an in-depth investigation of the college textbookindustry.

“The bill is a simple piece of legislature that requiresthe General Accounting Office, which is the investigative arm ofCongress, to conduct an investigation into potential pricemanipulation in the college textbook publishing industry,”Johnson says.

In the bill, which was referred to the Committee on Educationand Workforce, studies found students can spend nearly $1,000 peryear on college textbooks. For many students, particularly those intwo-year degree certificate programs, textbooks make up a largepercentage of postsecondary education costs.

The study also stated American college students often find theirtextbooks cost far less overseas than they do in the United States.In many cases, the exact same textbook can be purchased overseas athalf the cost.

Johnson says Wu hopes the bill will be added to the revisedHigher Education Act in 2004.

Rita Phillips, division manager of the Iowa State Universitybook store, says the average freshman can spend anywhere from $300to $400 on textbooks their first semester.

She says a student’s major is a deciding factor on howmuch will be spent on textbooks.

“Engineering textbooks are the highest-priced,”Phillips says. “Engineering students may spend $350 to $500in textbooks.”

Phillips says students complain about purchasing textbooks ifinstructors do not utilize the books in the class. She says themore a textbook is used, the more valuable they become.

Johnson says he urges college students to support H.R. 3567 bycontacting their state lawmakers.

“The best thing students can do is call their congressmenand ask them to co-sponsor the bill,” he says.